Tape dispenser having a tape retaining and application area

Abstract

A tape dispenser having a frame, a cutter blade and at least one pair of projections disposed on the opposed interior surfaces of the side walls is disclosed. The distance between the projections is less than the distance between the interior surfaces of the side walls and is also less than the width of the tape held in the dispenser. The tape dispenser may also include a pair of tabs either associated with the projections or positioned between the projections and the tape mount. The dispenser is adapted to hold a roll of adhesive tape therein and because of the decreased distance between the projections, the tape assumes a convex shape when viewed from the front end of the dispenser. The shape of the tape and position of the tabs and projections causes the tape to be biased into contact with the interior of the front end of the dispenser. This helps to keep the free end of the tape out of contact with the roll in the dispenser.

1. A tape dispenser comprising:
 a frame having an upper surface with a front and opposed side walls;  
 a tape mount disposed on said frame, the tape mount being adapted to secure a roll of tape therein;  
 a cutter blade disposed proximate the front of said frame, said cutter blade being adapted to cut tape from the roll;  
 at least one first projection disposed on the interior surface of each side wall, the first projections being adapted to hold the side edges of tape from the roll therebetween; and  
 a tab disposed on the interior surface of each side wall, the tabs being disposed between the first projections and the tape mount; said tabs being adapted to support the tape thereon;  
 
     whereby the tabs and first projections cause the tape to assume a convexly-arched shape when viewed from the front of the frame. 
   
   
     2. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the first projections on opposed side walls is less than the distance between the interior surfaces of the side walls. 
   
   
     3. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the first projections is less than the width of the tape held in the dispenser. 
   
   
     4. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the first projections are disposed proximate the cutter blade. 
   
   
     5. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the first projections are adapted to bias the tape into contact with the interior of the front of the dispenser. 
   
   
     6. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 5 , further comprising a pressure pad disposed between the cutter blade and the first projections. 
   
   
     7. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a second projection disposed on the interior surface of each side wall, the second projections being adapted to hold the side edges of tape from the roll therebetween, whereby the tape assumes a convexly-arched shape when viewed from the front of the frame. 
   
   
     8. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the distance between the second projections on opposed side walls is less than the distance between the interior surfaces of the side walls. 
   
   
     9. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the distance between the second projections is less than the width of the tape to be held in the dispenser. 
   
   
     10. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the tabs and second projections are disposed between the first projections and the tape mount. 
   
   
     11. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein each second projection extends from the respective tab on each side wall toward the interior of the upper surface of the frame. 
   
   
     12. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein each tab has a top surface, a bottom surface, a back and a front, and the second projections extend upwardly from the top surface of the tab toward the interior of the upper surface of the dispenser. 
   
   
     13. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the tabs are adapted to hold tape from the roll thereon such that the side edges of the tape extend over the top surface of the tabs and contact the second projections. 
   
   
     14. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the second projections are adapted to bias the tape into contact with the interior of the front of the dispenser. 
   
   
     15. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each side wall has a lower edge and each of the tabs has a top surface, a bottom surface, a back and a front, and the bottom surface of each tab is substantially flush with the lower edge of its respective side wall. 
   
   
     16. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the bottom surface of each tab is disposed above the lower edge of its respective side wall, whereby a gap is formed between the lower edge and the bottom surface of the tab. 
   
   
     17. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein substantially all of the tab lies above the lower edge of the side wall. 
   
   
     18. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the bottom surface of the tab is disposed below the lower edge of the side wall. 
   
   
     19. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the top surface of the tab is inclined downwardly from the back of the tab toward the front of the tab. 
   
   
     20. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the top surface of the tab is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the interior surface of the side wall of the dispenser. 
   
   
     21. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein the top surface of the tab includes a lip and the top surface angles downwardly from the lip toward the interior surface of the side wall of the dispenser. 
   
   
     22. A tape dispenser as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising a pressure pad disposed between the cutter blade and the first projections.